Abstract
In this paper, the applicability of a theoretical flow resistance law to sediment-laden flow in pipes is tested. At first, the incomplete self-similarity (ISS) theory is applied to deduce the velocity profile and the corresponding flow resistance law. Then the available database of measurements carried out by clear water and sediment-laden flows with sediments having a quasi-uniform sediment size and three different values of the mean particle diameter Dm (0.88 mm, 0.41 mm and 0.30 mm) are used to calibrate the Γ parameter of the power-velocity profile. The fitting of the measured local velocity to the power distribution demonstrates that (i) for clear flow the exponent δ can be estimated by the equation of Castaing et al. and (ii) for the sediment-laden flows δ is related to the diameter Dm. A relationship for estimating the parameter Гv obtained by the power-velocity profile and that Гf of the flow resistance law is theoretically deduced. The relationship between the parameter Гv, the head loss per unit length and the pipe flow Froude number is also obtained by the available sediment-laden pipe flow data. Finally, the procedure to estimate the Darcy-Weisbach friction factor is tested by the available measurements.
Highlights
The procedure to estimate the Darcy-Weisbach friction factor is tested by the available measurements
A very limited number of studies were developed on friction factor in pipe sediment-laden flows and this topic is widely open to scientific debate
Flow resistance law was generally deduced by a theoretical approach when the velocity profile is known as for some cross-section shapes and defined boundary conditions
Summary
The sand-water mixture flow is affected by the physical properties of the fluid and the kind, size and concentration of the transported particles [1]. From a practical point of view, the process of transporting solids and liquid phases through closed pipes is widely applied and economic considerations support the employment of this method of transportation. Sediment transport through pipes is used in dredging process to remove sand, silt and other material from rivers, channels, watersheds, and harbors. Sewerage engineers use a self-cleaning velocity as that which allows to transport sediments in the flow without deposition processes on the sewer bed. A production system affected by sand should be designed to operate above the critical sand deposition velocity to assure that solid particles are dispersed in fluid phases [2].
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